We have been so busy and it seems like the we have gone through SO many changes in the past month...I feel very far behind. Here's a journey through our January:
Since we were passed all of the holiday travel and activities...we figured there was no better time to start potty training Hannah. She had been using the potty successfully at school for a few weeks and Hannah seemed interested in her little potty at home...after talking about it for several days we took the plunge and threw away all of Hannah's diapers in quite a dramatic ceremony, tried on her new Elmo big girl underwear and prayed for the best. The first day, January 8, was a breeze, she went every time we took her, we read books and sang songs and put stickers on her chart, and it was quite a fun day...we thought we had this licked. What was all the hype about anyway...all the books and advice and programs available...we didn't need any of that...or so we thought. Then, there was day two...our little precious Hannah showed her stubborn, independent streak that we have rarely seen before. The battle ensued as we tried to get her to go before we were to leave for our bible study group at church...there was no getting her on that potty. We were sure she would have an accident on the way there and tried to bribe her in any way we knew. No such luck...when we got to church she seemed interested in checking out the potty room there (which, come to find out was a favorite activity of her father's and is certainly a strong gene as EVERYWHERE we go Hannah has to check out the pot!)...but she was more interested in the paper towel holder she could reach on her own. So about 30 minutes later poor Mallory had to come and tell us Hannah had an accident...it was down hill from there. The third day was the most difficult day we've had with Hannah and by the end of the fourth day we were ready to throw in the towel. There were tantrums like we had NEVER seen before...we had had enough! I packed her daycare bag with clothes enough for a small country and dropped her off on Wednesday morning with apologies for what I was sure they were going to endure. Much to our surprise Miss Hannah did quite well that day and they encouraged us to keep trying...and we did. Each day got a little better and when she was finally ready she made it happen. All those books and advice and programs...I read them, sought it and researched them...and the one book I will write on the subject...When they are ready, they will do it! Doubt it will be a best seller, but it is the truth!!
Potty training Day 1...this would be the last smile we'd see on our little girl for a while!! She chose the boots herself...not sure if she has a future in fashion or not...
Later that same week...on January 12, I had to return to work part time. I am so blessed and thankful to work for a wonderful manager who values family and allowed me to take extended time off and to return to work on a phased return schedule. It was still a terribly hard day...the first day that we would all head our separate ways and I would be apart from Mr. Caleb for more than just a few hours. Craig was first out the door as he went to work at Bronson...Hannah and I were next as she went to Little Tykes and me to Pfizer. And Grandma graciously came to our house to get Caleb up, dressed, and fed in order for us all to have some sanity in the morning! I could not wait until 3:30 when I could roll my chair away from my computer and run out the door to once again see my family. These past four months have been some of the best of my life and I will always cherish the time that I was able to spend with Hannah and Caleb. They have both taught me SO much...especially how to love in a way that I have never known before and probably will never be able to explain and do it justice. I love them with all my heart and these are the smiles that I look forward to at the beginning and end of each of my days...
On a lighter note...Here's Hananh and Daddy rough-housing...it always makes Mommy incredibly nervous, but we haven't had any major boo boos yet...
Caleb continues to grow bigger and bigger everyday...he LOVES LOVES LOVES his exersaucer and really goes crazy in it...he also likes this jump-a-roo. His favorite past time, however, is watching his sister. He'll turn to find her when she enters the rooms and just looks at her with his eyes filled with love...she has really started to take an interest in him, too, and gives him hugs and kisses without being asked...we'll have to remember these times when they are teenagers!
Concentrating...he looks JUST like his daddy when he has his mind on something.
Hannah had her first sledding experience this past weekend at some friends of our's house. Much to my surprise she loved it (we had anther trip to Bounceland which I thought she would love and she did not at all...again...when she's ready she will do it)...she had one MAJOR biff which ended with some snow-rash on her check. Daddy was on tree patrol while holding Caleb...she was sure to hit it so daddy put his foot out to help divert her...and that he did. She went flying up in the air and somehow landed with her feet straight up...for her mommy being 15 feet away it seemed as though she was in that position for 5 minutes. A few tears later she was back at it. She had a great time...
No, Caleb did not ride down...this was just a pose which only lasted moments until Hannah got her way and was tired of sharing.
Wheeeeeee...
Hannah and Savannah...best sledding buds!!
And our little dude...FIVE months old already! He has recently started sleeping on his tummy and sleeps so soundly that way. He started eating cereal this past weekend...well really, it's more we put it in his mouth and he spits it out...but we've started none the less. He is pretty consistently sitting up by himself with the occasional wobble backwards or forwards. He's still the greatest little baby boy...always happy and smiling. He has the greatest laugh and it is quite contagious! His favorite show on TV is The Price is Right :)...and his favorite activity is bouncing in his exersaucer. He's all of 16 pounds by now and over 26 inches long...about the size his sister was when she was 8 months old!! We love our little man and can't wait to see what his sixth month has in store!
